July 19, 2026 to July 25, 2026

This is Queen Street Analytics' weekly digest of regulatory developments, legislative discussions and other government-related news concerning the trucking, rail, and shipping industries, ports, storage centers, cargo and container terminals, international and inter-provincial logistics, fulfillment centres, courier and delivery services. Once a week, we break down the most important updates in this space in under five minutes.

Want to track the upstream and downstream forces affecting Freight & Transport? Don’t miss this week’s updates in Oil & Gas and Defence. Also consider subscribing to our Freight & Transport - Washington edition covering critical GR news south of the border.

📋 In This Week's Newsletter

• 🏛️ This Week's Parliamentary Calendar
• 🇨🇦 Federal Government News
• 🗺️ Provincial Government News
• 💬 Government Consultations
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week

This Week's Parliamentary Calendar

• Government Operations and Estimates: Gordie Howe Bridge Study Meeting Requested: On July 29, 2026, the House of Commons Government Operations and Estimates Committee will convene a televised meeting at 1:30 p.m. to discuss a request for a study into the Gordie Howe Bridge situation.

Federal Government News

Canada and Spain Formalize Green Shipping Corridor MoU

On July 23, 2026, in Madrid, the Honourable Steven MacKinnon, Minister of Transport and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons, signed a multi-port, multi-jurisdiction Green Shipping Corridors Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Spain. This MoU, now including Germany as well, supports the Atlantic Green Shipping Corridor, a key initiative for international collaboration on decarbonizing marine transport and modernizing port infrastructure. The agreement brings together ports, fuel producers, shippers, and industry partners from Canada and Europe to advance clean fuels and technology. The MoU aims to enhance cross-Atlantic trade, promote supply chain reliability, and accelerate cleaner marine operations. Minister MacKinnon also held discussions with UK and Spanish counterparts on high-speed rail and private sector airport investments during the week.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Gordie Howe International Bridge Port of Entry Launch

The Canada Border Services Agency announced on July 24, 2026, that the Gordie Howe International Bridge port of entry between Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, is operational. Designed as Canada’s newest and largest land border crossing, the port features advanced infrastructure, including 24 primary inspection lanes, commercial and traveller lanes, dedicated trusted trader programs, and a full suite of detection and processing technology. The facility, now one of three major Windsor border crossings, is intended to relieve congestion at the country’s busiest Canada–U.S. commercial land border, which handles roughly 30% of all cross-border truck trade. The CBSA has set up resource management protocols to ensure efficient and secure operations at this high-throughput gateway.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Project Bay: Major Cross-Border Drug Interdiction at Ontario Commercial Gateways

A joint investigation—led by the Windsor Police Service and supported by the Canada Border Services Agency, OPP, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and the DEA—resulted in the seizure of nearly 1.7 tonnes of illegal drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine, opium, along with 17 firearms and cash. The operation, dubbed Project Bay, targeted a broker-style network using commercial transport links to facilitate international drug movement. On June 25 and July 14–20, multiple search warrants were executed across Ontario, disrupting trafficking mechanisms exploiting legitimate freight supply chains. In total, 21 people face 102 charges under the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Investigations into network origins, especially regarding the use of commercial carriers, are ongoing.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Canada’s Aerospace Sector Pursues Investment and Innovation Abroad

From July 20–24, 2026, a Canadian federal delegation, including Minister Mélanie Joly and Minister Steven MacKinnon, attended the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom. Over 150 Canadian companies participated, showcasing aerospace, space, and defence capabilities, meeting with international industry representatives to attract investment and advance government-industry partnerships. While at Farnborough, Minister Joly confirmed government collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada on engine manufacturing modernization and acknowledged STRIX’s continued INSAT project funding. The delegation also promoted the Canadian aerospace sector as a platform for innovation and supply chain integration, and held further discussions with stakeholders from the UK and Spain on shared aviation and rail priorities.

Sources: www.canada.ca, www.canada.ca

Consultations Open on Forced Labour Measures in Supply Chains

On July 21, 2026, Global Affairs Canada, through Ministers Anita Anand and Patty Hajdu, announced a round of public consultations on strengthening Canada’s prohibitions on goods produced with forced labour in global supply chains. The process will collect views from stakeholders regarding evidence criteria, approaches to listing goods, and importer reporting requirements under Bill C-35. Parallel to this, Employment and Social Development Canada is seeking feedback on potential supply chain due diligence regulations targeting Canadian companies with abroad operations. The consultations are open July 27 to August 21, 2026.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Consultations Launched on Tariff-Rate Quotas for Steel Imports

On July 23, 2026, Minister Anita Anand invited feedback from industry, importers, and producers on the administration of tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for certain steel imports. These quotas, in place since June 2025, address trade diversion risks and are managed through shipment-specific permits. Stakeholder input, collected until August 19, 2026, will inform possible changes to quota allocation to maintain transparency and predictability in Canada’s steel import regulation regime.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Draft Quebec–Canada Agreement for Major Project Review Released

On July 20, 2026, Minister Joël Lightbound and Pascale Déry of Quebec announced the publication of a draft agreement to coordinate federal and provincial environmental assessments for major projects in Quebec. The agreement adopts a one-project, one-review model to expedite project delivery and reduce administrative duplication, while maintaining environmental standards and Indigenous engagement. The public and Indigenous communities can provide comments over the next three weeks to inform the final agreement.

Sources: www.canada.ca

DFO and Manitoba Complete Second Roadside Watercraft Inspection Blitz

Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Province of Manitoba conducted their second aquatic invasive species roadside blitz from June 19 to 21, 2026, announcing results on July 21. Officers inspected 455 vehicles with 502 watercraft/equipment near the Manitoba-Ontario border; 120 units failed to meet clean, drain, dry requirements, and 13 were ordered decontaminated. One vessel was found to be carrying Zebra Mussels. These measures form part of efforts to prevent invasive species affecting regional waterways and infrastructure.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Household Data: Air Passenger Numbers Nearly At Pre-2020 Levels

Statistics Canada reported that, in 2025, 158.9 million passengers enplaned and deplaned at Canadian airports, a 1.3% increase from 2024, amounting to 97.6% of 2019’s pre-pandemic levels. Slower year-on-year growth reflects a stabilizing trend in air transport volumes.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca

Natural Gas and Petroleum Data Releases

Statistics Canada released datasets for May and June 2026 on natural gas supply, transmission, storage, and distribution, as well as monthly figures on crude oil transportation/storage and refined petroleum product inventories. The refined petroleum product data for June is available on request.

Sources: www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca, www.statcan.gc.ca

Infrastructure and Housing Announcement in Nunavut Scheduled

A federal and territorial announcement event for infrastructure and housing in Nunavut, involving Ministers Rebecca Alty and Rebecca Chartrand and MP Lori Idlout, was scheduled for July 23, 2026, at the Iqaluit Aquatic Centre. Minister George Hickes of Nunavut and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated representatives were also set to participate.

Sources: www.canada.ca

Provincial Government News

Super-Heavy Petrochemical Equipment Transport in Central Alberta

On July 23, 2026, a 897,992-kg C3 splitter will be transported from Tofield to Fort Saskatchewan at a top speed of 30 km/h, affecting highway traffic. The load’s dimensions and escort requirements are expected to cause slowdowns.

Sources: www.alberta.ca

Ontario Firm Fined $200,000 after Dockyard Truck Incident

EarthFresh Farms Inc., a Burlington-based produce supplier, received a $200,000 fine for a 2024 workplace injury involving improper shunt truck and trailer lighting connections at its loading facility.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Ontario Announces $2.6 Million for Aerospace Worker Protection

At the Farnborough Airshow, the Ontario government pledged $2.6 million in support for Downsview Aerospace Innovation & Research, bolstering aerospace and defence workforce skills, supply chain resilience, and defence contract readiness.

Sources: news.ontario.ca

Manitoba to Establish Trade Representatives in Europe and Mexico

Manitoba’s government, on July 23, announced new trade offices in Europe and Mexico to drive market access, with a focus on EU and Mexican markets as part of the province’s Economic Development Strategy.

Sources: news.gov.mb.ca

BC Approves FortisBC’s Major LNG Marine Fuelling Project

BC issued a regulatory order allowing FortisBC to expand its Tilbury LNG facility, enabling the project to proceed without a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, supporting growth in LNG marine fuelling at the Port of Vancouver.

Sources: news.gov.bc.ca

Government Consultations

Consultation Open on Steel Tariff-Rate Quotas Administration

Global Affairs Canada launched consultations on July 23, 2026, regarding the allocation and management of tariff-rate quotas for certain steel goods. Stakeholders are invited to provide submissions through August 19.

Sources: international.canada.ca

What We're Reading This Week

• Opinion: Yet another shipping route gets blocked. Welcome to the new reality: Analysis of increasing blockades and disruption along major global shipping lanes.
• 11 indicted in smuggling deaths of 7 migrants in rail cargo container in Texas: Report on indictments linked to a fatal rail smuggling incident in Texas.

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